Improved clasp for shoes, belts



"fr-f I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD S. WINCHESTER, OF BOSTON, MASSAGHUSETIS,1ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND JOSEPH GARDNER, JR.

IMPROVED CLASP FOR SHOES, BELTS, &o.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 38,009, dated March 24, 1863.

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD S. WINcHEs- TER, of Boston, in the county ot' Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful clasp to be used on shoes, belts, collars, or wherever a clasp may be required 5 aid I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and use of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawing, making a part of this specilication.

The clasp may be made of brass, steel, silver, or any other metal.

In the drawing, No. 1 represents the bottom plate. The figures 2 3 4 5 represent the posts which hold the bottom and top plates together. There may be more or less posts, according to the size and strength of the clasp. No. 6 is the small plate which is secured to the opposite part ofthe article to be clasped or securedthat is, in claspin g together any two pieces or ends, No. 6 is secured to one of them, and No. 1, with the parts connected therewith, to the other. No. 6 holds the stud No. 7, which enters the hole No. 8, made through one end of the clasp, and slides along the slot N o. 9, and is held in place by the teeth on the lever No. 10. No. 11 represents the slot in the lever No. l0, which is cut on an angle to draw the lever toward the stud. The slot No. 11 goes onto post N o. 2, which acts as a pivot for the lever. No. 12 shows the spring which throws the lever against thestud No. 7. No. 13 represents the thumb-piece t draw back the lever and unlock the stud No. 7. The teeth are cut in the lever so that the stud may be moved up the slot and hold the stud whenever it is left, the stud being made so as to lit between the teeth, and having a head so as to prevent it frornslipping down through the slot. No. 14 represents the top plate, which may be riveted, soldered, pinned, or screwed flown to posts Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, or fastened to them in any convenient mode. The lever N o. 10 is to lie between the two plates.

The four Xs are holes by which to attach the clasp to one of the ends or parts to be secured. This attachment may be made by riveting, or in any other mode that may be found convenient..

It will be readily understood that the plate and stud, Nos. Gand 7, are to beattaohed to one end or part of the article to be secured, and the plate No. 1, with all the parts connected therewith, to the other end or part to be secured.

What I claim as new and of my own invention is- The clasp constructed substantially as above described.

In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand this 4th day of March, A. D. 1862.

E. S. WINCHESTER.

Witnesses LEMUEL SHAW, THos. T. HARLow. 

